Kristaps Porzingis is in his feelings about losing the fan-vote to Joel Embiid

Kristaps Porzingis has been slumping of late. Yet he remains a prideful person, and after being being spurned for the final starting spot in the Eastern Conference, he threw some shade at fans who voted Embiid in to start alongside LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Under the current All-Star voting format, the top three frontcourt players from each conference earned a starting spot. Currently, fans account for 50 percent of the vote total, while the media and players account for 25 percent each. Embiid finished third in fan and media voting for Eastern Conference frontcourt players, but Embiid finished fourth in the player vote. After finishing third in the player vote, Porzingis’ starting bid was hampered by the media and fans who slotted him fourth.

When asked how he felt about the fans snubbing him, a clearly embittered Porzingis delivered a succinct response.

“Players know,” Porzingis told the media, per the New York Daily News. “That’s all I’m going to say.”

The difference between Porzingis and Embiid is almost negligible. However, Embiid is a brash, cocky personality who has made enemies in the NBA, which could explain the players vote. Alternatively, he’s also been much more consistent than Porzingis, who has complained of feeling fatigue after in his first season as the No. 1 option.

While their seasonal averages and defensive impact are similar, Embiid has been more steady despite playing in seven fewer games. This month, Embiid has been averaging a rock solid 23.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and is shooting an above average 49 percent from the field. Porzingis was a god during the first month of the season, but his quality of play has gradually diminished with each passing week. This month he’s dropping 20.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 40 percent shooting from the field.

In the grand scheme of things, Porzingis will be a part of the festivities once coaches select the reserves. Besides, there’s always next year. The debate between Embiid and Porzingis for Eastern Conference supremacy should rage for years to come. If it’s any consolation, losing out on a starting spot means he wouldn’t have to play center, the position he abhors most.